of chicago



Oct. 8, 1929. J. LEVINE 1,730,464 CONNECTION FOR VENEERED PANELS Filed April 23, 1927 ZZl' jizg. 7101] Patented Oct. 8, 1929 UNITED STATES] PATENT OFFICE TOSPI-I LEVINE, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MET-L-WOOD CORPORATION, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS CONNECTION FOR4 VENEERED PANELS Application filed April 23,

This invention relates to Connections for veneered panels.

An object of the invention is to provide means by which laminated veneered paneis may be arranged edge to edge and connected together in such manner as to provide a strong and neat joint therebetween, and wherein the connecting means are confined to one side of the plane defined by the panels, and wherein the panels may be applied to a supporting structure having a cut-out portion for accommodating the connecting means for the panels and provide a support which further strengthens the joint.

Other and further objects of the invention will more clearly appear from the description and claims hereinafter following.

In the drawings forming part of this speciiication, Figure l is a vertical sectional view through fragments of a plurality of panels and a supporting wall therefor, showing the invention in connection therewith. Figure 2 is a fragmentary top plan view of the invention, parts ofthe same being broken away to expose the construction thereof. Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of one of the panels showing the means by which it is adapted to be connected to another panel. And Figure 1 is a connecting member which co-operates with the means on both panels to secure them together.

As shown in the drawings, 5 represents a supporting wall to which a plurality of panels indicated at G and 7 are adapted to be attached. The supporting wall 5 is provided with a cut-out portion or groove 8 adapted for the reception of projecting parts of the joint between the panels 6 and 7 as hereinafter referred to.l

The panel 6 comprises a plurality of layers of wood indicated at 9, said layers being glued together in such manner as to form what is generally known as ply wood. An outer layer or veneer is provided which consists of a thin sheet of steel, and interposed between the veneer 1() and the layers 9 of the ply wood is a sheet of fabric 11, the layers 9, 10 and 11 being glued together in a manner to provide a bond wherein the fabric operates to permit the different rates 1927. Serial No. 185,954.

of expansion of the steel sheet and the ply wood, in a manner similar to that disclosed in re-issue patent, R. W. Burnett, No. 111,349, dated April 16, 1917. The inner surface of the panel 6 is also provided with a sheet of fabric 12 and a steel veneer 123 in the same manner above described. The panel 7 is of exactly the saine character as the panel G described in detail, and the invention has for its object the connection of two panels such as those shown at 6 and 7 along their edges by an arrangement wherein portions of the steel veneer of each panel are interwlocked to connect the panels in edge to edge relation, attention being called to the fact that due to the utilization of the fabric 11 between the steel veneers and the panels, any tendency of the joint hereinafter described, to be pulled apart, is avoided. y

The connection between the panels 6 and 7 includes an integrally formed curved por-- tion 111 formed .on the veneer 10 acent the edge of the panel 6, said curved portion being provided with an extension 15 which is reversely bent so as to over-lie an inwardly disposed off-set 16 in the steel veneer 18, the extension 15 being disposed in spaced relation with respect to the off-set 1G in the sheet 13. The panel 7 is of exactly the same construction as the panel 6 excepting for its opposite disposition and similar reference characters will be applied to corresponding parts of both panels 6 and 7.

A connecting or locking member is pro vided which comprises a web portion 17, and integral anges 18 and 19, the iiange 18 being disposed between the off-set 16 and the extension 15 of the panel 6, while the flange 19 is interposed between the extension 15 and off-set 16 of the panel 7 The thicknesses of the flanges 18, extensions 15, and web 17, of the connecting means, provide a seam which is confined to one side of the panels 6 and 7, and said seam is of such size as to fit nicely into the groove or cut-out portion 8 in the support 5 and preferably securing screws 20 and 21 are extended through the various plies of material at the edges of the panels, thus locking the same in position, and securing the panels to the lGO support 5, and due to the fact that the panels lie flat against the face of the support 5, there is no tendency of the panels to swing about the connection, being braced by reason l of the disposition of the seaii in the cut-out '-1 the means by which the structure is braced site faces, the veneer on one of said faces between the edges of the 1aanels fromone side as i I to the other and reversely so as to overhang said off-sets; and a locking member having portions interposed between said off-sets and said reversely disposed extensions.

2. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a plurality of panels arranged edge to edge, each of said panels being provided with a metallic veneer on its opposite faces, the veneer on one of said faces being off-set inwardly, and the veneer on the opposite face of each panel being curved between the edges ofthe panels and reversely so as to overhang said olf-sets; a locking member having portions interposed between said offsets and said reversely disposed extensions; and securing elements extending through the edges of said panels and said extensions and said locking member.

3. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a plurality of flat panels disposed edge to edge, each of said panels having a sheet metal veneer permanently affixed to one surface through the interposition of bonding` material between the veneer and the panel throughout the extent of each, each of said panels having its veneer projecting beyond the adjacent edges of said panels and extending between said edges to the op-V posite sides of said panels, said extensions at the opposite sides of said panel being secured together against separation and thereby maintaining the panels themselves in predetermined connected condition.

4. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a plurality of panels, each formed of laminations permanently bonded together to form a unitary panel structure, one of said laininations being of metal to strengthen thel panel, said panels being adapted to be utilized each as a complete unit; and means for securing said panf els together along adjacent edges thereof, said means being confined to one set of adjacent edges of said panels and consisting of extensions formed upon the metallic lamination of each panel and an element cooperating with said extensions to connect the same, whereby said panels proper, each as an entirety, are secured together by said means.

5. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a plurality of panels cach consisting of laminations permanently bonded together to form a unitary structure, one lamination of each panel being of metal and said panels being each complete as a separate unit, the laminations of each panel exept the metal one being of fibrous material having a different rate of expansion and contraction than the metallic lamination, said i'ibrous lamination and metallic laminationV of each panel having fabricinterposed therebetween whereby the different rates of expansion and contraction are compensated for, said metallic laminations adjacent one set of edges of said panels being extended and co-operating with a locking member for securing said extensions together whereby, by reason ofthe connection of said extensions, said pan els are secured together each as an entirety and distortion of the joint thus formed pre-V vented by the presence of said fabric interposed between tlie fibrous and metallic lami- Y nations.

6. In a structure of the character described, the combination with a plurality of panels, each formed of laminations permanently bonded together to form a unitary panel structure, one of said lamination: being of metal to strengthen the panel, said panels being adapted to be utilized each as a complete unit; and means for securing said panels together along adjacent edges thereof, said means being confined to one set of adjacent edges of said panels and including extensions formed upon the metallic lamination of each panel, said extensions being secured togethery and maintaining the panels in connected relation.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of April, 1927.

JOSEPH LEVINE. 

